By IGONIKO ODUMA, Yenagoa

Gunmen suspected to be pirates have attacked a passenger speedboat and abducted four persons aboard in Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the victims were travelling from Twon-Brass near the Atlantic Ocean to Yenagoa, the state capital city, on Wednesday, when the bandits struck.

Chairman of the maritime workers union, Brass Unit, Mr Daniel Biodomoye confirmed the incident.

He said the assailants attacked the passenger speedboat and took their targets hostage around midday on Wednesday.

Biodomoye appealed to the Chairman of Brass Local Government Council, Mr Victor Isaiah to release the local government’s refurbished gunboat to support the two others provided by the state government that are patrolling the route.

“I am also calling for stronger collaboration to secure the waterways and make them safe,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat said he contacted the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Brass area who told him that no such incident had been reported.

It would be recalled that 13 people were abducted in February when pirates attacked six passenger speedboats around the Okpoama-Odioma and Nembe-Brass waterways.

The incident resulted in the suspension of maritime activities by angry operators to protest against frequent attacks on the state’s waterways. (Daily Independent)

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